The 4th in the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce’s “Your State, Your Business” series will feature the biggest name of all.
Governor Ned Lamont speaks at the Westport Library on April 13 (11 a.m.).
The series began earlier this month, with Comptroller Sean Scanlon and Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas. It continues this Thursday (April 2, 11 a.m.), with Attorney General William Tong.
Governor Lamont’s session will focus on Connecticut’s fiscal stability and economic outlook, highlighting efforts to maintain affordability through initiatives like tax rebates and energy cost relief. Following his talk, Governor Lamont will join in a conversation with Chamber executive director Matthew Mandell, followed by an audience Q&A.
The event is free, but pre-registration is required here.
Governor Ned Lamont
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Last week’s osprey sighting may have been a false alarm.
Carolyn Doan — who has tracked the raptors’ Westport sojourns for years — writes: “The photo that was sent to you could have been a hawk. As far as I know, the osprey haven’t returned yet.
“I hope I’m wrong. It’s possible I keep missing them, but I have engaged the help and eyes of some friends as well. Nobody has seen them yet.
“I talked with the manager at Fresh Market. They are on the lookout also
“The nest itself hasn’t changed. No new sticks or dangling sticks moved. No visible spiffing up has occurred.
“If they haven’t returned, then they are about a week late. Other nests in town have late arrivals also.
I’ll let you know if anything changes or I hear differently.”
Osprey or hawk? Last week, at Fresh Market. (Photo/Dana Kuyper)
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This past weekend, the Westport Library turned into a concert venue.
Next month (Saturday, April 25, 7 p.m.), it becomes a fashion runway.
In just 6 years, the Westport Downtown Association’s Fashionably Westport show has become one of the hottest spring tickets.
For good reason. In addition to the latest styles from over 20 local fashion and accessories retailers and salons — all modeled by local residents — plus a silent auction, food, music, and high-energy MC Dave Briggs, it’s a fundraiser for a wonderful organization: Homes with Hope. They run the town’s men’s and women’s shelter and food pantry (among many other good works).
Click here for tickets, and more information.
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Laura Blair has participated in 21 STAR Walk & Roll events. During that time, she has raised over $100,000 for the non-profit that serves individuals of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
This year will be special for Laura. For over 30 years she took care of Jenna Herbst, a fellow Westporter and STAR client.
Jenna died earlier this month. Laura is dedicating this year’s Walk & Stroll to her, and other friends Laura has met at STAR who, like Jenna, rely on the organization for help.
Money raised funds birth-to-8 early intervention therapies, customized job training, placement for transitioning high school students and adults, and scholarships for self-enrichment programs for over 600 people in Fairfield County.
Many people know Laura, through her work with Jenna and as a Staples High School superfan. Click here to help Laura reach her $20,000 goal.
Laura Blair and Jenna Herbst.
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Westporter Sam Hendel — a music industry leader at Chord Music rights platform, and Dundee Partners (a private equity and venture capital firm, focusing on music, media, and technology) — helped draw a large crowd yesterday morning, to “Coffee with the C-Suite: Creators, Technologists, and Music’s AI Frontier.”
The event — the first on the final day of the Westport Library’s VersoFest — examined how artificial intelligence is reshaping how music is created, distributed, licensed and monetized.
Music industry veteran Dick Wingate — another Westporter — moderated the fascinating, forward-looking discussion.
Sam Hendel (far right), on the AI-and-music panel. Other participants (from left): Daniel Rowland, Danny Newcomb, Paul Sinclair. (Photo/DinkinESH Fotografix)
The 4-day event closed with an interview with Peter Shapiro — who has owned the Capitol Theatre and Brooklyn Bowl, and produced numerous music festivals — followed by a screening of the Grateful Dead movie “Dead Ahead,” filmed in 1980 at Radio City Music Hall.
The Dead live! (Photo/Matthew Mandell)
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Congratulations to Caleb Smith!
The 2024 Staples graduate — who quarterbacked the Wreckers to the state championship and was named Connecticut Football Player of the Year; earned All-America honors in lacrosse; captained the basketball team and was honored as a statewide Scholar-Athlete — was inducted into the Fairfield County Gridiron Hall of Fame last week.
He was the youngest honoree, among this year’s 13 players and coaches.
In his career, culminating in the state crown (and #1 ranking in Connecticut), Caleb passed for 5,138 yards and 49 touchdowns. He rushed for 2,307 yards and 43 TDs, and holds 7 school passing records.
After playing quarterback at the University of Connecticut his freshman year, Caleb transferred to Boston University this year. He is playing lacrosse, and studying finance.
Caleb Smith, with his family and state championship plaque.
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Who doesn’t like chocolate? And who doesn’t like wine?
Those indulgences are doubly enjoyable together. Which is exactly why Chocolatieree and The Grapevine are collaborating on a “Pairing Table.” It’s where handcrafted ganache bonbons meet thoughtfully curated wines.
There are 2 dates: April 21 and 23 (at Chocalatieree; $115). Three rounds “contrast Old and New World styles,”; each pairing includes a wine category matched with a chocolate, unlocking a flavor that “might bloom, soften, brighten, or surprise you entirely.”
It’s “part tasting, part discovery, part lively conversation, and completely” delicious. Participants leave with a box, to “savor and reminisce later.” Click here to register, and for more information.
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Sure, you can always find great artwork at Westport River Gallery.
But now you can also see a pair of the replica ruby slippers — created to exact detail of those worn by Judy Garland as Dorothy, in the 1939 “Wizard of Oz” film — at the Riverside Avenue space.
Connecticut-based artist Kyle LaRue constructed each slipper using a vintage size 5 shoe (the actress’ size) from the 1930s. Each features sequins, bugle beads and rhinestone.
The slippers at the gallery are the most authentic pair available. More durable, wearable versions in any size can be made on commission.
Artist Kyle LaRue (left) with Westport River Gallery owner Ken Warren, and Dorothy’s slippers. (Photo/Koleen Kaffan)
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Just in time for hydrangea season, the Greens Farms Garden Club is sponsoring an expert speaker.
Horticulturist/photographer/New York Botanical Garden instructor Lorraine Ballato — author of “Success With Hydrangeas,” and a blogger with a site dedicated to the plant — will speak on April 7 (11 a.m., Southport Congregational Church). RSVP: cafedame@aol.com.
Who doesn’t love hydrangeas?
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Lucas Flesch is a junior at Staples — and a talented and passionate artist.
He was was accepted into Pratt Institute’s prestigious Summer Pre-College Intensive program.
His family does not qualify for the school’s financial aid. They’ve set up a GoFundMe page to help.
It says: “The pre-program would be an incredible next step for Lucas. It would allow him to experience a structured, college-level environment and be surrounded by other students who are just as passionate about art. This experience could be transformative, helping him build confidence and skills for his future. Any support, in any amount, truly helps, and we really appreciate it.”
Click here for Lucas’ GoFundMe page. And click here to see some of his work.
“Dead/Lucid Self Portrait” — graphite on paper, 2024. Lucas writes: “In this piece, I was thinking about religion. And how we justify with religion and overcome our greatest fear. The unknown. In old literature (Romeo and Juliet, and Catullus 5) the writers play this metaphor of this very short life we live and how we should spend it with loving. Everyone does things in preface to death, either it being memorable for things done in your life or loved by others. This self- portrait talks about how death is a part of everyone living or not. Death might be the one thing that controls your life.”
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We get a lot of sunset photos, here at “06880” headquarters.
We can’t run 95% of them.
But this one — over Sherwood Mill Pond — caught our eye, for its color and composition. So it made the cut, for today’s “Westport … Naturally” featured image.
(Photo/Matt Murray)
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And finally … in honor of Dorothy’s slippers, now being paid homage to at Westport River Gallery (story above):
(You don’t need a brain, a heart or courage to support “06880.” All you have to do is click here, to make a tax-deductible contribution. We’ll be over the rainbow with joy. Thank you!)
Great photo Matt‼️🇺🇸
Ospreys have been seen down near the water since Friday…my neighbor and I have an active text chain when we hear or see one. Not sure if they are ‘our’ osprey or just passing thru.
Judy sang Rainbow twice but it appeared in the movie only once, at the beginning when she wants to get away from the farm where she lives. Later in the movie, she was held captive by the witch and sang Rainbow again, this time yearning to be at home on the farm with her family. There was more layered emotion in this version. My husband, Peter, and his crew were on set at the time with only Judy and her pianist. One take. Everybody present was moved by her rendition. Even the pianist was moved. Moist eyes everywhere. This version was cut from the movie by the bean counters who said that the movie was running too long and originally wanted to cut Rainbow (both versions) but were persuaded to leave one and they chose the first. Peter and his crew always said the second one should have remained. A lifetime later they still agreed on that.